‘We only see these flying cars in the movies. It is by God’s grace that we are alive today.’
These were the words of a still traumatised Nuku Moepeng (42) from Mashao Street in Ikageng after a Ford Bantam bakkie crashed through their sitting room wall while they were fast asleep on Monday morning.

Nuku, a temporary cook at a nearby school lives with her unemployed boy-friend, Papas Jantjie (47). They say their four-roomed home is in ruins and will have to be rebuilt from the foundation level. A generous neighbour is accommodating them temporarily in a shack in her yard.
Papas says it was at about 12:30 on Monday morning when they woke up with a loud bang.

‘There was dust all over the house and people were shouting out our names to check if we were safe,’ he said.
‘We quickly pulled the young man and his female friend out of the bakkie because we were afraid it might explode.

The woman was screaming hysterically. We then called the police. The mother and brother of the young driver also came to the scene,’ he says.
Nuku told the Herald they wouldn’t have survived if the bakkie had crashed through the wall while they were still sitting in the lounge. ‘We came back at about 23:00 after a night out with some friends not far from here. We sat on the couch and had something to eat before going to bed. It seemed like minutes later that we woke up to a room filled with dust and bricks everywhere,’ she said.
Case of reckless and negligent driving and driving without a licence
The Ikageng police say they are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving and driving without a licence. According to Sgt Kelebogile Trom, the police spokesperson, the driver of the car, a 24-year-old man was having an argument with his girlfriend when he lost control of the vehicle. They were both taken to hospital after complaining of headaches, she said.
Papas and Nuku say they have not received any assistance since the accident. ‘We have lost all our furniture and other belongings. The J.B. Marks disaster personnel were here and said they were first going to meet before briefing us on the way forward,’ says Papas. He adds that they are stressed because they do not know how long they are going to be out in the cold without a home to live in. ‘This has happened during extremely cold weather. We are grateful to our neighbour for the support,’ said Nuku.
As the temperatures continue to drop, the couple says their councillor has not been to the house since the crash. ‘He only sent his personal assistant,’ says Nuku. Ironically, their ward councillor is also the member of the mayoral committee responsible for housing. A family friend, Polena Tlotleng is disappointed that the councillor has not set foot on the scene. ‘He should have come to see how they are coping, what they are eating and where they are sleeping…this is painful,’ she said.
Couple would appreciate any assistance from the community
In the midst of all the uncertainty, the driver’s mother has begged the couple not to lodge a case at the police station and has promised to assist them. ‘What can we do? We must open a case because there is nothing on paper that says she will build this house. What is more painful is that the driver was more worried about the bakkie that he had crashed than the state of our house. He was taking photos of the vehicle and his brother had to take him inside to show him the damage he had caused.

The driver’s mother has begged the couple not to lodge a case at the police station and has promised to assist them.

The couple would appreciate any assistance in the way of food or anything else during their time of need. Good Samaritans can call them on 079 766 24 28 (Nuku) or 079 766 24 28 (Papas).
Driver should fix the damaged house, says J.B. Marks
Willie Maphosa, the J.B.Marks spokesperson, says the municipality has noted the accident in Mashao Street. He says the ward councillor, Dudu Modise and the disaster personnel have been to the scene.
‘Our personnel has also engaged with the family of the house concerned and the owner of the bakkie that plunged into the house. At this meeting, our disaster personnel made it clear to the owner of the vehicle that caused the accident that he has to take responsibility for fixing the family dwelling,’ said Maphosa.
He highlighted that the family has every right to pursue the matter through a civil claim, depending on whatever route they wish to follow in this regard.
We are unable to rebuild or fix the property
‘Meanwhile, the municipality will assist the family by erecting a temporary structure and connecting electricity points that it can use until the property is fixed.
‘As a municipality, however, we are unable to rebuild or fix the property but we can insist that the person who caused the accident should take responsibility for his actions,’ he said.